Role Model MP Paul Maynard To Lead Young Campaigners Fight On Discrimination

I have just recieved this press release from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

One of the UK’s first disabled MPs, Paul Maynard, is to lead a brand new All Party Parliamentary Group to raise awareness of the issues facing young people with disabilities and to tackle discrimination, which will meet for the first time at Westminster today.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Disabled People, has been spearheaded by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Trailblazers, a group of more than 300 young people with muscle-wasting diseases who campaign on disability issues. The Trailblazers will meet with Peers and MPs including Minister for Disabled People Maria Miller, Speaker of the House John Bercow and Shadow Minister for Disabled People Margaret Curran at regular sessions chaired by Mr Maynard, and will discuss issues ranging from barriers to higher education and employment, to poor access to public transport and social exclusion. The group will produce a report in the Autumn laying out reccomendations for ministers, businesses and public authorities and will work towards seeing these made a reality.

Mr Maynard, says that the new APPG will be a significant step forward in improving ministers’ and MPs’ understanding of the inequalities young disabled people face in day to day life:

“I feel proud to be involved with a group like the Trailblazers, who are tackling the uphill struggle that young disabled people face to achieve goals in life taken for granted by non-disabled peers. We have come along way in how we view disability in this country, but the Trailblazers investigations show that physical and social barriers are a harsh reality still. It is not right or fair that a person should face a constant daily battle on everything from accessing higher education and employment to using public transport and socialising with friends and family.

“I hope that by hearing directly from young disabled people and gaining a genuine understanding of their experiences we can work towards real positive change and allow young people to make decisions based on their goals and potential – not their disability.”

Since launching in 2008 the Trailblazers have conducted a series of investigations into shocking inequalities faced by young disabled Britons and have worked with organisations including the NUS, the London Assembly Transport Committee and Passenger Focus to fight for fair treatment. Reports by the group have found that:

· 70 per cent of young disabled people believe their job applications have been rejected because of how employers view their disability, and 75 per cent say physical access to the workplace is a major barrier to finding a job

· On half of train journeys Trailblazers encounter a lack basic disabled facilities both at stations and on board and Trailblazers are frequently unable to board public buses. 40 per cent have been forced to pay more to use a wheelchair accessible taxi

· 80 per cent of Trailblazers experience difficulties using leisure facilities to socialise and almost all feel that employees at venues such as cinemas, restaurants, pubs, bars, music and sports venues do not understand disabled customers needs

The Trailblazers describe the new APPG as a ‘landmark step forward’ towards a fair quality of life for young people with disabilities, and hope to involve businesses, public service providers, local authorities, industry bodies and disability organisations in the talks.

Zoe Hallam is (20) has been campaigning with the Trailblazers for the past two years and will address ministers on employment issues at the meeting. He/she has limb girdle muscular dystrophy:

“Young disabled people are a minority group in Britain and our voices are often not heard on the issues that affect us. Important decisions are often made on our behalf by people who believe that they know what we need and want. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Young Disabled People is an opportunity for us to speak directly with parliamentarians on the subjects that really matter.

“Discussion about disability just focuses on health and practicality. Social inclusion is a hugely important issue, but the need for young disabled people to be active in employment, education and socially with their friends is overlooked. Through the APPG we want to promote a wider, better understanding of the barriers that we face and how these could be overcome.

“To have a Paul Maynard as an MP that has a disability himself take a lead role in the group is fantastic. We don’t see nearly enough a positive disabled role models.”

Bobby Ancil, Project Manager of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Trailblazers said:

“The first meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Young Disabled People is a landmark step forward for the Trailblazers. For the past three years we have campaigned hard on against all types of discrimination that young disabled people face. We have worked towards providing clear, tangible and realistic steps for authorities, businesses and organisations to take to help tackle inequality. Today we will have the chance to speak face to face with ministers and to give people a genuine understanding of life for young disabled people in Britain.”

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